Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...The show, which is directed by Lisa Shriver and performed by Melody Betts (the divorced mom), Jen Chada (the stay-at-home mom), Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck (the stressed-out career mom) and Madeline Duffy-Feins (the mom to be), veers between truthful, appealing sequences and overwrought cliches."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Fabisch’s songs are well-crafted, revue-style numbers (she has spent years in Nashville), with a heavy emphasis on the longterm anatomical havoc motherhood can wreak. The actresses’ strong voices and personalities easily sell them in this production directed by Lisa Shriver."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Throwing a shower for their pregnant neighbor, three moms spend 90 minutes singing and gabbing about topics ranging from post-delivery sex and useless husbands to the mixed blessing of an empty nest. Melody Betts supplies powerhouse vocals while Madeline Duffy-Feins brings a sharp comedic sensibility to the Lifetime-grade material. Duffy-Feins's bit on breastfeeding is hilarious despite its predictability."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Sue Fabisch knows about women, their joys, sorrows, triumphs and dreams. She has a particular empathy and understanding for ladies in the family way, since every possible foible and fable is covered in her comedy-heavy musical. A few very touching, well-sung ballads slip in as well, guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of the toughest audience members."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...There’s nothing wrong with creating a show to give moms in the audience a chance to laugh at their shared lot, but does the show have to be so lame? Working with the producers who brought us Menopause the Musical, Fabisch offers songs with titles like “Costco Queen” and “Baby Weight Blues” and jokes that even my grandma wouldn’t forward via e-mail (“I childproofed my house, but somehow they keep getting back in!”). The material doesn’t call for subtlety, so the cast doesn’t provide any. The saving grace is Melody Betts who, as the divorcée, sings her face off."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Motherhood the Musical has a good chance of establishing itself as a long running hit at the Royal George. This is a perfect show for groups of women who want to attend a bright and funny revue that showcases their domestic experiences with humor and some insight. The revue avoids the twin pitfalls of cloying sentimentality and anything-for-a-laugh low comedy. It knows its audience and that audience, at least on opening night, responded with laughter and recognition."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"..."Motherhood The Musical" is a fun night out. 97% of the Royal George Theatre was filled with the female sort, be it moms with daughters, girls night out, sisters and cousins, you name it and they were there. This show written by Sue Fabisch and directed by Lisa Shriver takes us into the lives of some very special ladies who all have something in common. They are mothers and one gal is a soon to be mom. We learn of the lives of each of them through songs mostly and very little dialogue."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...One of the reasons, the audience ( almost 65% female) enjoys this journey is because they can relate to the people they see onstage. They see people they know! They see relatives! ( in particular their mothers) and of course many have enjoyed ( or not) the same experiences these actors portray in this 90 delightful minutes of comedy and music. While it is truly a show for women, the men can relate to some of what they see as well. Let’s face it, we all had mothers and if married, wives that they will see in some, if not all , their own exposure to how women handle becoming mothers. One of the numbers, ” I Leak” is not only adorable, but something most men know about from the women in their lives."
